Business School student leads NSW delegation to UN Youth conference

02 Jul 2012

A United Nations youth conference to be held in Melbourne later this month, will "show kids that they can make a difference" says the leader of the New South Wales delegation, University of Sydney Business School student, Karen Chau.

The theme for Australia's largest annual residential youth gathering this year will be 'striving for justice' and organisers say it will tackle the challenges of opening young minds to the way that justice underpins their everyday lives.

More than 100 mainly senior high school students from across Australia as well as New Zealand, Japan and Tonga will take part in what is formally known as the UN Youth Australia National Conference.

The week-long program, described by organisers as "academically stimulating and experientially rich", will canvas such themes as global justice, corporate social responsibility and human rights.

Conference excursions will include visits to social enterprise and non-government organisations operating in Melbourne.

The leader of the NSW delegation, Karen Chau, is being sponsored to the conference by the Business School where she is studying for a Bachelor of Commerce (Liberal Studies) degree.

"The UN Youth National Conference is a fantastic and valuable educational opportunity for students," Karen said. "Importantly, it allows young people to learn from each other."

"The University of Sydney Business School believes that Conferences like this one, provide delegates with a tremendous opportunity to learn and to share their views in a positive way," said Nigel Smith who manages the School's Student and Academic Services.

UN Youth Australia encourages young people to work towards a greater understanding of global issues and seeks to educate them on the United Nations' structure, functions and future.

Recent National Conferences have been held in Perth (2010), in Brisbane (2009) and in Hobart (2008).